APEX allen wrench "Wing" handles

[bonneyman]

Thanks to Rickster I've got 7 of the old style APEX wing handles (2 are marked BRISTOL). Three I set up as SAE for blower wheel set screws. Now I want to assemble a set of metrics for bicycle work.
I really like the grip, and it's nice that broken shafts can easily be swapped out into the handles. Gotta find some more of these!

 

[senlow]

I'm also a huge fan of the forged T-handle hex wrenches. I have a few Bristol hex wrenches and a full set of the Allen/Unbrako.

Bristol Wrench Co. is still operational. Their claim to fame is the Bristol Spline Drive.

The Bristol T-handle has a round bore that accepts a bushing broached for the hex bit. This allows different bit sizes to be interchanged on the same size handle. To the best of my knowledge, these were never available in metric.

The Allen/Unbrako T-handles have been out of production for several years. Sorry, I don't know the date production was ceased. Some handles were marked Allen and others were marked Unbrako. These handled differ from Bristol in that they are broached directly for the hex bit. The Allen handles are less massive and more rounded than the Bristol. I prefer the ergonomics of the Allen/Unbrako. They were made in inch sizes from 3/32" to 5/8". Metric sizes ranged from 2.5mm to 10mm. The metric are very scarce.

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, it did seem like the BRISTOL's had a threaded insert. But the one I tried was freaking tight, so, didn't want to risk breaking anything. Both of mine ar 1/4", so, a 6mm hex will fit loosely. Perhaps I can make a shim of some sort and use it as is. the 1/8" APEX spare likewise is loose on a 3mm, but I think that one can be made to work as well. Need a 4, 5, and maybe if I'm bold a 10mm.

 

[senlow]

The bushing is not threaded. It is cylindrical and locked in place with a set screw. I'll post pics this evening.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Their claim to fame is the Bristol Spline Drive.

Indeed. Famous among WWII jeep guys for being as important as they are henstoothishly hard to find! A tiny (2-5/8" x 15/16") "L" shaped "Bristol wrench" (WRENCH, Fluted socket head) with six flutes and a diameter ranging from 0.1815 to 0.1830 inches was supplied to every jeep toolkit by Warner Gear. It was used to loosen and tighten a 5/16” Bristol type set screw on the shift forks at the top of the T84 transmission. Access by removing the shifter plate. And if you've ever owned a Willys MB or Ford GPW jeep, you know that the shift forks on many of the trannies require constant fiddling, especially after getting jammed up. The original patent holder for a splined socket head screw and concomitant wrench sold the rights to The Bristol Company, which gave the wrench its “street” name and fame for several decades preceding WWII. See Pics 1, 2, & 3.

I don't know when Bristol started making hex key ("Allen", if you colloquially insist) shaped wrenches, but I do have a few of those, too. See Pics 4, 5, & 6.

 

[senlow]

Here are some detail pics of the Bristol assembly. The hole in the bushing goes through one wall and captures both the bushing and the hex bit. Pic one is all the components. Pic two is just the bushing. Pic three is a partial assembly.

 

[senlow]

Photo comparison of the two manufacturers handles.

 

[senlow]

These pics show the two brand markings that Allen/Unbrako used.

 

[senlow]

Here is my inch set, the metric set and finally a 1/4" bit driver that I made by milling a hex on a shaft from a Snap-on ratcheting bit driver and then installing it in an Unbrako T-handle.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Note, if it's not already known, that UNBRAKO is a brand name, not a company name. The company that made UNBRAKO brand hex-shaped hollow and socket head set and cap screws and their counterpart wrenches is Standard Pressed Steel Corp. of Jenkintown, PA. They TM'd that name (301,583) in 1933.

 

[bonneyman]

Here is my inch set, the metric set and finally a 1/4" bit driver that I made by milling a hex on a shaft from a Snap-on ratcheting bit driver and then installing it in an Unbrako T-handle.

Sweet!

 

[Ralf11]

cool old tool, but I just snap mine on then snap them off...

 

[leg17]

All the Allen brand ones that I have and have used suffer from the set screw working loose. I guess I could have used some 'tightener' on it.

 

[toolchaser]

I have a partial set of those but only marked "Allen" no "Unbrako" markings

 

[RTM]

Note, if it's not already known, that UNBRAKO is a brand name, not a company name. The company that made UNBRAKO brand hex-shaped hollow and socket head set and cap screws and their counterpart wrenches is Standard Pressed Steel Corp. of Jenkintown, PA. They TM'd that name (301,583) in 1933.

Well this reduces some of my searching. I found a handful of Unbrako hex wrenches when sorting through a misc box. ( I swore one said Sheffield, more later if I find it)

Also, looks like Unbrako is still going and been there since 1911.

https://www.unbrakousa.com/Home/About#

Here is a bit of history on predecessor work at SPS

https://www.fastenerdata.co.uk/1960-1936-socket-cap-screw

Was gonna offer it in the weird names, but will leave it here instead.